Bored? A Family Game Night Is the Perfect (Cheap!) Solution

The weather isn’t too nice, and you don’t think you can handle one more whine from a bored child. They want to do something. Anything!

You need some good old fashioned family quality time. But how can you afford it? You’ve got a family vacation planned, but it’s still months away. And you’re saving your entertainment money for that.

Well, how about a family game night? When was the last time you sat down and enjoyed playing together? Even with children of different ages, families love to play games together. Add in some yummy snacks and you’ve got a fun night ahead of you.

Here are some tips to have the best family game night ever!

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The Best Family Game Night Games

Here are some of our favorite games to play as a family.

Jenga

Jenga is a favorite game because even younger kids can play. You’d be amazed at how well a 2 1/2-year-old can pull these little pieces without toppling the tower! Even wiggly toddlers are fascinated by the concept of taking it apart without letting it fall. (Just don’t be too surprised when they get bored and shove the tower over on purpose.)

It’s obviously easier to play this game with older children. You can even create your own version of this game to play in the yard using 2x4s!

Apples to Apples is a fun game for anyone who can read. It’s especially great for families because if you know each other well, you can choose the card that the “judge” is most likely to pick. You also learn more about each other’s tastes and humor.

I like this game because there are several versions of it. There is a Junior version for 7-year-olds. There’s a creative one where you can write your own answers.

If your kids would rather be on their phones, you can use the TV and phones to play this game through your Chromecast. Learn more about that here. (Just don’t get this game confused with the adult version called Cards Against Humanity.)

Ticket to Ride

A game we haven’t tried yet (but my friends swear by) is Ticket to Ride. It’s a strategy game that is different every time you play. You don’t have to keep track of paper money, which is a nice bonus.

Catchphrase

The game Catchphrase is fun to play with your family or even with a larger crowd. You can play in teams and try to get your team to guess your word for points. Or you can play for fun and let one person take a turn while everyone else guesses.

We own the Star Wars version of this game. Perfect for fans of the movies!

Healthy Snacks to Make as a Family

No game night is complete without a yummy snack! Here are some recipes you’ll want to try. Let the kids help make them for extra family time.

Trail Mix

This is a neat treat because it never looks the same way twice. What do you have on hand? Toss in cereal, nuts, pretzels, some M&Ms or chocolate chips, and you have a delicious snack. Let the kids help decide the combination. Then let them mix it up in a bowl.

Smoothies

Take some frozen fruit (buy fruit that’s on sale and freeze it yourself to save money), yogurt, a little honey or powdered sugar, and a splash of milk Put it all in a blender and create a smoothie in your favorite flavor combination.

Popcorn

This one is always a hit! Pop some microwave popcorn. Or better, pop it in an air popper or on the stove. Top it with some parmesan cheese and garlic, ranch, or go with the standard butter and salt.

Family game night is a great way to get in some family time without spending a fortune.

Make a healthy snack, grab some fun games, and make some memories. Remember, it doesn’t cost a fortune to keep boredom at bay!

Comments

We have always loved game night in our family. I am not sure which game is our favorite, but I think Apples to Apples may be it. It is perfect for crowds. We always have snacks and drinks. I enjoy trying to make foods that go with the game! Great ideas.

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